 Two cases that Southwick participated in as a state judge formed the primary basis for the groups' charges.In the first case, "Richmond v. Mississippi Department of Human Services", Southwick joined the majority opinion upholding the decision of the Mississippi Employee Appeals Board to reinstate a white state employee (Richmond) who was fired for a single incident of referring to a black co-worker as a "good ole nigger" outside of the co-worker's presence.When the black co-worker was informed of Richmond's comment, Richmond immediately apologized, and her apology apparently was accepted.